While We're on the Topic of Animals...

I have a beautiful little book (copyright 1884) called Catholic Belief: A Short and Simple Exposition of Catholic Doctrine by the Very Rev. Joseph Faa Di Bruno, D.D. that has the following to say about meekness and animals...

"The virtue of meekness so strongly recommended to us by our Saviour should extend also to animals so as never to cause them unnecessary pain. The saints had not only a fervent love for the souls of men, and an anxious care for the poor and suffering, but had also a tender compassion for every living creature. 'The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel.' (Proverbs xii. 10.) A striking lesson of tenderness towards God's creatures is conveyed to us in the Divine command repeatedly given: 'Thou shall not boil a kid in the milk of his dam.' (Exodus xxiii. 19, Deut. xiv. 21.) The gentle poet, Coleridge, has well written: -

'He prayeth best, who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the dear God who loveth us

He made and loveth all.'"

Further Reading:

Catholic Encyclopedia: Cruelty to Animals